This looks too much like work 
The spectators and tri-athletes merge
"Reflection" in Monroe Harbor along the race course
The transistion area (bikes as far as you can see)A line of tri-athletes walking two by two with bikes and back packs began forming around 4 a.m. The line did not stop until nearly 6 a.m. After they placed their bikes in the bike stands at the transition area they walked down the path right next to our boat in their swim gear on their way to the Lake Michigan shore-line. The air was really electric at that time of morning with expectation and lots of positive energy.
There were also many spectators/entourages for the participants. The air temperature was only 52 degrees, and we wondered what the Lake temperature must have been. We were able to wish them luck as they walked past, and several of them welcomed us to Chicago and joked about what we would have for breakfast for them after their swim.
The average age for the participants appeared to be between 30 and 35, but there were also a few much older and some who didn't quite look good enough in shape to do this. There were even some amputees with metal legs and two in wheel chairs!
The first wave of swimmers started to come past the boat headed for the bike leg about 6:15 a.m., and we were able to cheer them on. With over 56 waves of at least 150 participants each, this kept going on for hours as they completed the bike leg and then ran past us on the walking track about 30 feet away.
After the amateurs had completed the course, the pros did the triathlon in record time. We truly had the best seats in the house as we had a lovely breakfast and watched the action from our back-deck and later from our fly- bridge. The crowds continued all day and again we were a major tourist attraction with lots of people taking pictures next to "Reflection". George was thinking of charging for the privilege! Things finally quieted down around 6 p.m. when the garbage trucks appeared to pick up the litter. By 8 p.m. there was almost no one around and we were able to get a quiet night's sleep.
There were also many spectators/entourages for the participants. The air temperature was only 52 degrees, and we wondered what the Lake temperature must have been. We were able to wish them luck as they walked past, and several of them welcomed us to Chicago and joked about what we would have for breakfast for them after their swim.
The average age for the participants appeared to be between 30 and 35, but there were also a few much older and some who didn't quite look good enough in shape to do this. There were even some amputees with metal legs and two in wheel chairs!
The first wave of swimmers started to come past the boat headed for the bike leg about 6:15 a.m., and we were able to cheer them on. With over 56 waves of at least 150 participants each, this kept going on for hours as they completed the bike leg and then ran past us on the walking track about 30 feet away.
After the amateurs had completed the course, the pros did the triathlon in record time. We truly had the best seats in the house as we had a lovely breakfast and watched the action from our back-deck and later from our fly- bridge. The crowds continued all day and again we were a major tourist attraction with lots of people taking pictures next to "Reflection". George was thinking of charging for the privilege! Things finally quieted down around 6 p.m. when the garbage trucks appeared to pick up the litter. By 8 p.m. there was almost no one around and we were able to get a quiet night's sleep.
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